Hearing evaluation and configuration of a hearing assistance-device

ABSTRACT

A method for evaluating hearing of a user comprising: generating a baseline hearing profile for the user comprising a set of gain values based on a volume setting, each gain value in the set of gain values corresponding to a frequency band in a set of frequency bands; accessing a soundbite comprising a phrase characterized by a frequency spectrum predominantly within one frequency band; playing the soundbite amplified by a first gain in the frequency band; playing the soundbite amplified by a second gain in the frequency band; receiving a preference input representing a preference of the user from amongst the soundbite amplified by the first gain and the soundbite amplified by the second; and modifying a gain value, corresponding to the frequency band, in the baseline hearing profile based on the preference input to generate a refined hearing profile compensating for hearing deficiency of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/993,109, filed on 13 Aug. 2020, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/784,217,filed on 6 Feb. 2020, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/383,666, filed on 15 Apr. 2019, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/657,625, filed on 13 Apr.2018, each of which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of sound augmentationdevices and hearables and specifically to a new and useful method forassessing hearing and configuring a hearing-assistance device in thefield of sound augmentation devices and hearables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a flowchart representation of a method;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representation of a variation of the method;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a schematic representations of examplesoundbites as used in the method;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowchart representations of a variation of themethod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to limit the invention to these embodiments but rather toenable a person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.Variations, configurations, implementations, example implementations,and examples described herein are optional and are not exclusive to thevariations, configurations, implementations, example implementations,and examples they describe. The invention described herein can includeany and all permutations of these variations, configurations,implementations, example implementations, and examples.

1. METHOD

As shown in FIG. 1 , a method S100 for evaluating hearing of a user caninclude: generating a baseline hearing profile for the user comprising aset of gain values based on a first volume setting, each gain value inthe set of gain values corresponding to a frequency band in a set offrequency bands spanning a human-audible frequency range in Block Silo;accessing a first soundbite comprising a first spoken phrasecharacterized by a first frequency spectrum predominantly within a firstfrequency band in the set of frequency bands in Block S120; playing thefirst soundbite amplified by a first gain in the first frequency band inBlock S130; playing the first soundbite amplified by a second gain inthe first frequency band different from the first gain in Block S140;receiving a first preference input representing a preference of the userfrom amongst the first soundbite amplified by the first gain in thefirst frequency band and the first soundbite amplified by the secondgain in the first frequency band in Block S150; and modifying a firstgain value, corresponding to the first frequency band, in the baselinehearing profile based on the first preference input to generate a firstrefined hearing profile compensating for hearing deficiency of the userin Block S160.

As shown in FIG. 2 , one variation of the method S100 can include:accessing a first hearing profile for a user comprising a first set ofgain values, each gain value in the first set of gain valuescorresponding to a frequency band in a set of frequency bands spanninghuman audible range and characterized by a first gain value in the firstset of gain values corresponding to a first frequency band in BlockS170; uploading the first hearing profile to the hearing assistancedevice of the user in Block S180; at a first time, and in response toreceiving a confirmation of activation of the first hearing profile fromthe hearing assistance device, playing a first soundbite comprising afirst spoken phrase characterized by a first frequency spectrumpredominantly within the first frequency band in Block S190; accessing asecond hearing profile for the user comprising a second set of gainvalues, each gain value in the second set of gain values correspondingto a frequency band in the set of frequency bands and characterized by asecond gain value in the second set of gain values corresponding to afirst frequency band in Block S172; uploading the second hearing profileto the hearing assistance device in Block S182; at a second timesucceeding the first time and in response to receiving a confirmation ofactivation of the second hearing profile from the hearing assistancedevice, replaying the first soundbite in Block S192; in response toreceiving a first preference input representing a preference of the userfor the second hearing profile, selecting the second hearing profile inBlock S194; and prompting the hearing assistance device to set thesecond hearing profile as an active hearing profile for the hearingassistance device in Block S196.

2. APPLICATIONS

Generally, the method S100 is executed by a system (e.g., a mobilecomputing device executing an application, a computer system, and/or adistributed computer network) to evaluate a user's hearing deficiency(i.e. an inability to hear soft sounds, a sensitivity to loud sounds, orany other hearing challenge) and to configure a hearing-assistancedevice to amplify and/or attenuate incoming sound to compensate for theuser's hearing deficiency and to enable the user to better perceive andcomprehend human speech (and any other sound) in various environments(not just in a quiet room). More specifically, the system can executethe method S100 to: generate a baseline hearing profile approximatelycompensating for hearing deficiency of the user based on user'sdemographic data and an initial hearing test; collecting hearingpreferences from the user (e.g., in the form of volume adjustments)while playing a series of soundbites including spoken (e.g., vocal)phrases, each soundbite characterized by spectral peaks withinparticular frequency bands; refining the baseline hearing profile tobetter reflect the user's hearing ability across the audible spectrumbased on these hearing preferences; upload the refined hearing profileto a hearing assistance device; and further refine amplificationsettings of the hearing assistance device to compensate for the hearingdeficiency of the user. Thus, the system can interface with a user togenerate an improved hearing profile that better compensates forfrequency-specific hearing deficiency in the context of languagecomprehension when compared to standard audiograms and without the needto visit an audiologist. Furthermore, the system can fine tune thehearing profile according to the user's specific hearing assistancedevice.

The system executes Blocks of the method S100 utilizing a combination ofa microphone, a digital signal processor (e.g., within a personal,computer, laptop, smartphone), and a speaker (e.g., headphones, internalspeakers of the signal processing device). Additionally oralternatively, the system interfaces (e.g., via wireless protocols suchas BLUETOOTH or BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY) with a hearing assistance deviceto execute Blocks of the method S100. As used herein, a “hearingassistance device” can include a hearing aid, a wearable hearing-relateddevice (a “hearable” device), earphones/headphones in coordination withan integrated microphone, or any other device capable of augmentingincoming sound.

Generally, a “hearing profile” as used herein, refers to an array,matrix, or discrete function that relates a specific gain (i.e. relativevolume amplification) to each frequency band within a set of frequencybands spanning the human audible range of frequency (e.g., 20 to 20,000Hz). Therefore, the system can selectively and differentially amplifyand/or attenuate various frequency bands in a given soundbite accordingto a hearing profile. Furthermore, the system can communicate with ahearing assistance device to configure the hearing assistance devicewith various hearing profiles in order to execute Blocks of the methodS100. Additionally, a hearing profile can also relate the output gain toother characteristics of a given soundbite such as the volume (i.e.intensity) of the soundbite in each frequency band, thereby adjustingthe output volume according to different input volumes measured withineach frequency band or for the overall volume/intensity of thesoundbite.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the system can generate a baseline hearing profilethat roughly (approximately) compensates for the hearing deficiency ofthe user according to an initial hearing assessment (e.g., a simplifiedaudiogram) of the user and demographic data input by the user (e.g.,age, sex, and/or occupation). For example, the system can render a setof data input fields within a user portal (e.g., a graphic userinterface) in order to record demographic data associated with the user.Additionally, the system can render one or more slider bars (or anyother adjustable user-interface element) with which the user mayindicate the lowest audible volume of a testing tone (e.g., a 5 kHztone) or the lowest volume at which the user can understand speechconcentrated within a particular frequency band. The system can thenestimate (e.g., via machine learning or other statistical techniques) abaseline hearing profile for the user.

After generating the baseline hearing profile for the user, the systemcan further refine the baseline hearing profile to generate a refinedhearing profile for the user and to fully characterize the hearingdeficiency of the user (e.g., in order to recommend particular hearingassistance device) by performing a hearing assessment of the user. Thehearing assessment can include a series of soundbites (e.g., sentencesincluding phonemes having specific frequency characteristics) that areselectively output by the computing device, such as through headphonesconnected to or paired with the computing device. During this hearingassessment, the system can select a soundbite (i.e. a reproduceableaudio signal) with a frequency spectrum predominantly within aparticular frequency band. The system can then apply the baselinehearing profile to the soundbite and play the soundbite for the user.Subsequently the system can play the soundbite a second time withaltered gain within the particular frequency band (e.g., by altering thebaseline hearing profile within the particular frequency band such as inan A/B testing procedure). After listening to the soundbite repeatedaccording to the altered hearing profile within the frequency band, theuser can then form a preference as to which of the soundbites wasclearer or more easily perceived by the user.

The system can then request qualitative feedback from the user regardinghow well the user has comprehended each version of the soundbite. If thesystem detects that the user has expressed a preference for the modifiedhearing profile, then the system can modify the hearing profile of theuser accordingly thereby providing an improved characterization of theuser's hearing deficiency (e.g., as expressed by the hearing profile ofthe user).

The system can perform the above hearing assessment multiple times forthe same frequency band (e.g., by playing a pair of soundbites withvarious gain values applied within the frequency band) in order torefine the user's hearing deficiency and preferred gain within thatfrequency band. Furthermore, the system can perform the hearingassessment across multiple frequency bands included in the hearingprofile in order to precisely determine the user's hearing preferences.

The system can compile the user's feedback from the hearing assessmenttests into a refined hearing profile that, when applied to an inputaudio signal, enhances (amplifies and/or reduces) select frequencies (atdifferent input volumes) within the audible or vocal spectrum tocompensate for the user's hearing deficiency, thereby enabling the userto better hear sound generally and to comprehend human speech morespecifically. In particular, the system can generate and store therefined hearing profile executable by an audio device to amplify selectfrequencies and thus enable the user to better comprehend human speechgiven feedback collected from the user during a brief hearingassessment.

Upon receipt of a hearing assistance device, the user can pair thehearing assistance device with the system, and the system can upload therefined hearing profile—generated during the hearing assessment—onto thehearing assistance device, such as via an ad hoc local wireless networkor according to a short range wireless communication protocol. Becausethe output frequency response of the hearing assistance device maydiffer from system's frequency response (e.g., the speakers orheadphones connected to the computational device), the system cancommence an on-device hearing assessment, now with the hearingassistance device. During the on-device hearing assessment, the systemcan play back select soundbites—with original and/or modified amplitudesof select frequencies—to the hearing assistance device; and the hearingassistance device can output these modified soundbites, further modifiedaccording to the baseline hearing profile currently loaded onto thehearing assistance device, for the user. For example, during theon-device hearing assessment, the hearing assistance device can: uploadthe refined hearing profile to the hearing assistance device; play asoundbite (e.g., including a spoken phrase) to be amplified locally bythe hearing assistance device according to the refined hearing profile;upload a modified version of the refined hearing profile to the hearingassistance device; replay the soundbite; and receive an indication ofthe user's preference in order to generate a revised hearing profile.The system can then: prompt the user to select which version of therefined hearing profile she prefers; derive a hearing preference and/orhearing ability of the user from the user's feedback; generate a revisedhearing profile for the user's hearing assistance device; and uploadthis revised hearing profile to the hearing assistance device forimplementation by the hearing assistance device.

The system and the hearing assistance device can cooperate to repeatthis process during the on-device hearing assessment and/or throughoutmany hearing assessments with the user over time in order to converge ona hearing profile that, when executed by the hearing assistance device,amplifies an input audio signal into an output audio signal that is moreaudible to the user.

Furthermore, the system can implement Blocks of the method S100 toenable the user to adjust sound amplification output by the hearingassistance device in order to attenuate environmental and/or otherbackground noise and to selectively augment particular frequencies thatmay better enable the user to comprehend speech in the presence ofbackground noise. For example, in a loud restaurant, the user mayexperience difficulty hearing a voice of a friend due to ambient music,voices, and other noises. In this example, the system can implementmethods described above to present a hearing assessment to the user andto adjust the hearing profile executed by the hearing assistance devicein real-time in order to: decrease specific gain settings at frequencybands corresponding to background noise and increase specific gainsettings at frequency bands corresponding to the voice of the friend.

The system can therefore implement Blocks of the method S100 tostreamline: identification of a user who may benefit from a hearingassistance device; initial configuration of a hearing assistance deviceto output a hearing profile matched to the user's hearing abilities andpreferences; and revision and improvement of the hearing profile for theuser's hearing assistance device over time. The system can thus enableusers with hearing deficiency (e.g., mild or moderate hearingdeficiency) to access and configure their own hearing assistance device.By enabling such a user to locally assess her own hearing at her owncomputing device and to adjust amplification of select audio frequenciesby her hearing assistance device, the system may also enable the user toquickly improve her speech comprehension (e.g., on the fly), tailor herhearing assistance device to her immediate and long-term needs, andavoid visiting an audiologist or other auditory specialist each time theuser desires adjustment to her hearing assistance device. In particular,the system can enable the user to complete a self-assessment of herhearing and to leverage results of this self-assessment to tune her ownhearing assistance device to her needs over time.

The term “amplify” as used herein indicates an augmentation of an audiosignal according to a particular gain. Therefore amplification canresult in an actual increase in volume of an audio signal or anattenuation of an audio signal depending on the particular gain.

3. SYSTEM

As described above, the system can include a distributed network ofcomputing devices and/or computer systems that cooperate to assess auser's hearing, generate hearing profiles representing frequencies atwhich the user desires amplification in order to better comprehendspeech, such as during conversation. For example, the system can includea remote computer system that renders a user portal, which is then madeaccessible to a local computing device, such as a smartphone or tabletcomputer, through a web browser or application executing on a localcomputing device. The system can therefore enable a user to initiate ahearing assessment, listen to various original and/or modifiedsoundbites, and enter responses to prompts related to her preferencesfor these soundbites via the user portal, and the system can also logthese responses within a user profile assigned to the user (e.g., in aremote database). The system can then generate and revise a hearingprofile for the user based on these responses.

Additionally, the system can connect (e.g., via a wired or wirelessconnection) with sound generating devices, such as speakers, headphonesor earphones, to audibly reproduce various amplified versions ofsoundbites, tones, or any other audio for evaluation by the user.Additionally, the system can interface with noise-cancelling headphonesor any other noise-cancelling device to reduce or eliminate ambientnoise during hearing assessments.

The system can also interface or communicate with a hearing aid (i.e. apair of independent or linked hearing aids) or other hearing assistancedevice configured to amplify frequencies of sounds according to thehearing profile generated for the user. Generally, the hearing aid orhearing assistance device can include a microphone configured to detectaudible signals, such as speech, music, and/or other sound. The hearingaid can also include: a controller or signal processor configured toamplify select frequency bands of input audible signals detected by themicrophone according to a hearing profile currently loaded onto thehearing aid (e.g., a left hearing profile for a left hearing aidconfigured to engage the user's left ear; a right hearing profile for aright hearing aid configured to engage the user's right ear); and aspeaker configured to output these modified audio signals. The hearingaid or hearing assistance device can further include a wirelesscommunication module configured to wirelessly connect to the user'scomputing device and to download baseline, refined, and/or revisedhearing profiles from the computing device.

However, the system can include any other local or remote hardware orsoftware elements configured to execute Blocks of the method S100 inorder to compensate for the user's hearing deficiency and improve theuser's speech comprehension. For example, a microphone can be insertedinside the ear canal to record the actual sound output by the hearingaid's speaker. In this example, the microphone can record how the actualsound reverberates within the ear canal of the user and transform thesound amplification profile, which is output by the hearing aid'sspeaker, to compensate for distortion and/or other deviation of theactual sound recorded by the microphone from the sound amplificationprofile.

4. HEARING PROFILES

Generally, the system executes the method S100 in order to identify acompensatory hearing profile for a user with hearing deficiency, therebysubstantially improving the user's audio perception and, specifically,the user's speech comprehension. Thus, the system generates andmaintains various hearing profiles that each define a frequency responsefor a hearing assistance device (across the full frequency range ofhuman audio perception). Therefore, when the system uploads a hearingprofile for a hearing assistance device, the hearing assistance devicecan implement the hearing profile, via electronic amplifiers and/or adigital signal processor within the hearing assistance device, toreplicate the frequency response defined by the uploaded hearingprofile, thereby compensating for the user's hearing deficiency.Furthermore, the system can apply the hearing profile to its own audiooutputs, such as by modifying a stored or streamed audio signalaccording to the frequency response indicated by a hearing profile (suchas by applying the hearing profile to stored soundbites or livetelephone audio). As a result, the system can output an audio signalthat is amplified such that the audio signal can be better perceivedand/or comprehended by the user or such that the system can test theuser's perception and/or comprehension of the output audio (such asduring the hearing assessment process further described below) in orderto further improve the estimated compensatory hearing profile for theuser.

As briefly described above, the system can define a hearing profile in anumber of different ways depending on the implementation. In oneimplementation, the system can define a hearing profile as an array ofgain values, wherein each gain value corresponds to a particularfrequency band in the human-audible frequency range. Alternatively, thesystem can define a hearing profile as a matrix of gain value, whereineach gain value in the matrix of gain values corresponds to a frequencyband in the human-audible frequency range and a spectral density of theinput audio signal within that frequency band. Thus, in thisimplementation, the hearing profile can indicate a different frequencyresponse within a given frequency band corresponding to a differentinput intensity for that frequency band. Additionally, the hearingprofile can indicate a different frequency response depending on theoverall intensity of the input audio signal. In yet anotherimplementation, the system can define the hearing profile as acontinuous or discrete frequency response function with a rangecorresponding to the human-audible frequency range.

Furthermore, the system can define a separate hearing profile for eachear of the user (e.g., a right hearing profile and a left hearingprofile) in order to compensate for hearing deficiency differencesbetween the user's ears.

4.1 Frequency Bands

In one implementation, the system generates hearing profiles thatindicate a gain value for each of a predetermined set of frequency bandsspanning a human-audible frequency range. For example, the system candefine a hearing profile including a gain value corresponding to500-1000 Hz, 1000-1500 Hz, 1500-2000 Hz, 2000-3000 Hz, 3000-4000 Hz,4000-6000 Hz, and 6000-8000 Hz. Alternatively, the system can definehearing profiles for a predetermined set of frequency bandscorresponding to particular phonemes of human speech. For example, theset of frequency bands can include several vowel formants, sonorantconsonant formants, and a set of consonant frequency bands eachconsonant frequency band, wherein each consonant frequency band includesthe spectral range corresponding to a set of consonants grouped bytypical frequency content of the consonants.

In one implementation, the system can define hearing profiles accordingto frequency bands of variable resolution based on the hearingassistance device available to the user or based on the demographic dataof the user. For example, the system can offer higher resolution (or alarger number of smaller frequency bands) for users with hearingdeficiency caused by overexposure to specific frequencies. Furthermore,the system can adjust the number, bandwidth, and or center frequency ofany frequency band based on the results of the hearing assessmentprocess further described below.

4.2 Hearing Profile Terminology

As the system executes Blocks of the method S100, the system generatesdifferent hearing profiles (or sound profiles) that converge on ahearing profile that can compensate for the particular hearingdeficiency of the user given a particular hearing assistance device. InBlock S110, the system generates a “baseline hearing profile” for theuser. The baseline hearing profile indicates an initial estimate hearingprofile that approximately compensates for a user's hearing deficiency.However, the baseline hearing profile is further refined and revised insubsequent Blocks of the method S100.

In Blocks S130 and S140, the system can generate soundbites amplifiedaccording to “test hearing profiles.” The test hearing profiles arebased on the baseline hearing profile, however, each test hearingprofile includes a modified gain value in at least one frequency band(e.g., the frequency band currently being tested in the hearingassessment process). For example, in Blocks S130 and S140, the systemcan generate two test hearing profiles in order to receive a user'spreference regarding the gain value of a particular frequency band. Inthis example, the first test hearing profile can include a first gainvalue corresponding to the particular frequency band that is higher thanthe gain value of the baseline hearing profile for the same frequencyband, while the second test hearing profile can include a second gainvalue that is lower than the gain value of the baseline hearing profilefor the same frequency band.

In Block S160, the system generates a “refined hearing profile”according to the results of the hearing assessment process. The refinedhearing profile is a modified or derived version of the baseline hearingprofile that the system modifies according to the user's expressedpreferences for various test hearing profiles presented to the userduring the hearing assessment process, as further described below withrespect to Block S140.

In Block S196, the system generates and/or uploads a “revised hearingprofile” to a hearing assistance device according to the results of theon-device hearing assessment process. The revised hearing profile can bea further refined version of the refined hearing profile that the systemmodifies according to the particular frequency response characteristicsof the user's hearings assistance device.

Thus, by generating, modifying, and testing various hearing profilesaccording to Blocks of the method S100, the system can select a hearingprofile that precisely compensates for the hearing deficiency of theuser given the hearing assistance device of the user.

5. BASELINE HEARING PROFILE ESTIMATION

In Block S110 of the method S100, the system generates a baselinehearing profile for the user including a set of gain values based on afirst volume setting, each gain value in the set of gain valuescorresponding to a frequency band in a set of frequency bands spanninghuman-audible frequency range. More specifically, the system canestimate the hearing deficiency (and a corresponding compensatoryhearing profile) of the user based on a set of simplified audiogramtests and/or user provided demographic data. By estimating the baselineprofile before further refining and revising the hearing profile of theuser via the hearing assessment process further described below, thesystem can provide a starting point from which to initiate the hearingassessment process, thereby reducing the duration and improving theaccuracy of the hearing assessment process.

5.1 Demographic Data

In one implementation, the system can prompt the user to enterdemographic information (e.g., age, race, gender, or weight) and/orsurvey the user about environments, words, and/or particular frequencieswhich the user struggles to hear. In this variation, the system canaccess a library of hearing deficiency profiles representing commonhearing deficiency types, such as low-frequency hearing deficiency,cookie bite hearing deficiency, and/or noise-induced hearing deficiency.(Each hearing deficiency profile in the library of hearing deficiencyprofiles can be represented as an audiogram that describes anapproximate minimum volume—in decibels—a user can hear at particularfrequencies across a frequency spectrum audible to a human.) Based ondemographic information and/or survey results provided by the user, thesystem can estimate a type of hearing deficiency of the user (e.g.,noise-induced hearing deficiency). The system can then: access a generichearing deficiency profile associated with the type of the user'shearing deficiency; and access or generate a generic hearing profilecorresponding to the generic hearing deficiency profile accordingly. Inparticular, the generic hearing profile can be configured to amplifyselect frequencies for which humans—with the type of hearing deficiencycharacteristic of the user's demographic—commonly experience hearingdeficiency.

Additionally or alternatively, the system can present a subset ofgeneric hearing profiles—such as low-frequency hearing deficiency,noise-induced hearing deficiency, and cookie-bite hearing deficiency—tothe user (e.g., through the user portal). The system can then prompt theuser to select one of the generic hearing profiles. The computing devicecan then modify the first soundbite described above according to thisselected generic hearing profile to generate the soundbites to be playedback to the user during the hearing assessment.

By replaying a sample soundbite both in original form and modified,according to a chosen generic hearing profile in quick succession, thesystem can enable the user to identify which generic hearing profile sheprefers. Upon receipt of the user's preference, the system can thendetermine whether the generic hearing profile compensates for the user'shearing deficiencies and, if so, the system can set the user's preferredgeneric hearing profile as the baseline hearing profile in the useraccording to similar methods.

In one implementation, the system prompts the user, via the user portalto provide the user's demographic data including the user's age, gender,and/or occupation and generate a baseline hearing profile for the userbased on the demographic data provided by the user and a hearing profilemodel further described below.

However, the system can prompt the user to provide any demographicinformation that may be predictive of frequency-specific hearingdeficiency.

5.2 Simplified Audiogram Test

Additionally, in Block S110, the system can, via the user portal,administer a simplified audiogram test in order to estimate a baselinehearing profile for the user. Therefore, the system can prompt the userto specify, via the user portal, a volume setting corresponding to theuser's minimum audible volume of a tone of a particular frequency or theuser's minimum understandable volume of an exploratory soundbiteincluding speech concentrated within a particular frequency band.Alternatively, the system can prompt the user to specify multiple volumesettings each corresponding to a tone or exploratory soundbite within adifferent frequency band. Once the system receives the user's volumesettings, the system can estimate the rest of the user's hearingdeficiency according to the received volume settings and generate abaseline hearing profile for the user based on the received volumesettings.

In one implementation, the system can render a slider bar (or othersimilar graphic user interface element), via the user portal, such that,when the user changes the position of the slider bar in the user portal,the system plays the tone or exploratory soundbite at a particularvolume based on the position of the slider. Therefore, the user may movethe slider until the user can only minimally perceive the tone orunderstand the speech in the exploratory soundbite. The system can thenrecord the volume setting corresponding to the frequency bandcorresponding to the tone or exploratory soundbite based on the positionof the slider. Thus, the system can: play a tone or exploratorysoundbite at an initial volume; prompt the user to adjust the volumefrom the initial volume to the minimum audible volume to the user; andrecord the minimum audible volume to the user as a volume setting.

In one implementation, the system prompts the user to specify a minimumaudible volume for a set of tones or exploratory soundbites thatcorrespond to frequency bands that are most predictive of the hearingdeficiency profile of a user. For example, the system can select asingle frequency band that is most correlated with hearing deficiencyacross a range of frequencies and play a tone or exploratory soundbitecorresponding to that frequency band. Alternatively, the system can:receive demographic information from the user; select a set of tonesthat are most predictive of hearing deficiency in humans with similardemographic characteristics; and render a set of graphical userinterface elements prompting the user to provide a minimal audiblevolume for each of the selected tones. The system can select the tonesand/or exploratory soundbites according to conditional logic relatingdemographic data of the user to predictive tones or exploratorysoundbites. Alternatively, the system can select the most predictivetones or exploratory soundbites to play for the user based on asensitivity analysis on a set of demographic data associated withhearing test data.

Thus, the system can: receive a volume setting, wherein the volumesetting represents a minimum audible volume to the user of a tone orexploratory soundbite, the tone or exploratory soundbite characterizedby concentration within a frequency band; and generate the baselinehearing profile based on the first volume setting and a hearing profilemodel, further described below.

Furthermore, the system can generate the baseline hearing profileaccording to a second volume setting, wherein the second volume settingrepresents a minimum audible volume to the user or a minimumunderstandable volume to the user of a second tone or exploratorysoundbite, the second tone characterized by a second frequency differentfrom the first frequency; and generate the baseline hearing profilebased on the volume setting, the second volume setting, and the hearingmodel, further described below.

In another implementation, the system can play an exploratory soundbiteincluding speech that predominantly comprises phonemes exhibitingfrequency peaks within a particular frequency band instead of a tone ofa frequency within the particular frequency band. Thus, upon adjustmentof the slider (or other user interface element) by a user, the systemcan replay (or continue to play) the exploratory soundbite at a volumecorresponding to the position of the slider. Additionally, the systemcan apply a bandpass filter to the exploratory soundbite in order torestrict the output frequencies of the exploratory soundbite to aparticular frequency band for the purpose of the test. Furthermore, thesystem can prompt the user to indicate the minimum comprehendible volumeof the exploratory soundbite (when the exploratory soundbite includesspeech) as opposed to the minimum audible volume of a tone.

5.3 Hearing Test Model

In one implementation, in Block S110, the system can apply a hearingtest model to generate a baseline hearing profile for the user based onan input vector including a set of demographic characteristics of theuser and/or a set of volume settings specified by the user. In onevariation, the system trains the hearing test model according to acorpus of hearing test data with associated demographic data.Alternatively, the system can access a pre-trained model that performsthe same function.

In order to train a hearing test model for generating a baseline hearingprofile for a user, the system can access a corpus of hearing test dataassociated with demographic data. The system can then train (viasupervised learning algorithms) a machine learning model to estimate again value for each frequency band within the baseline hearing profilebased on a selection of demographic and hearing test inputs. Forexample, the system can train a hearing test model with inputs includingthe age and occupation of the user as well as the minimum audible volumewithin the 2000-3000 Hz frequency band for the user. The model can thenoutput a baseline hearing profile based on the specified inputs.Generally, the system can train a hearing test model with inputs thatare most predictive of baseline hearing profiles that accuratelycompensate for hearing deficiency of the user.

The hearing test model can include various artificial neural networks toestimate the gain values of the baseline hearing profile according toinput demographic and hearing test data. Alternatively, the system candefine a set of hearing deficiency categories such as low-frequencyhearing deficiency, cookie bite hearing deficiency, and/or noise-inducedhearing deficiency and utilize a classification algorithm (e.g., asupport vector machine, naïve Bayes, regression, decision trees) toselect the most likely type of hearing deficiency. The system can selecta baseline hearing profile corresponding to the selected type of hearingdeficiency. In one implementation, the system can also scale the gain ofthe baseline hearing profile based on a request volume setting from asimplified audiogram test provided to the user.

The system can also execute machine learning models such as activelearning models that can select specific demographic data or hearingtest data to request from a user in order to estimate a baseline hearingprofile for the user. Thus, the system can execute a hearing test modelthat selects frequencies for the simplified audiogram tests and selectsparticular demographic characteristics to request from the user that aremost predictive of a compensatory baseline hearing profile for the user.

6. HEARING ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Upon estimating a baseline hearing profile for the user, the system, inBlocks S120, S130, S140, and S150, executes a hearing assessment processin order to refine the baseline hearing profile to a refined hearingprofile that better compensates for the hearing deficiency of the user.More specifically, the system can execute the hearing assessment processfor each frequency band (or a subset of the frequency bands) included inthe baseline hearing profile in order to refine the gain valuecorresponding to each frequency band in the baseline hearing profile.The system executes the hearing assessment process by: accessing orselecting a soundbite that includes informational content within thefrequency band being assessed; generating two test hearing profiles thatdiffer from the baseline hearing profile; amplifying the soundbiteaccording to each of the two test hearing profiles; playing theamplified soundbites to the user; prompting the user to provide apreference for one of the two amplified soundbites; and modifying thegain value corresponding to the frequency band according to thepreference of the user. Thus, the hearing assessment process includes atleast the steps of soundbite selection, test hearing profile generation,soundbite amplification, and hearing profile modification based onreceived user preference. The system can then preferentially execute thehearing assessment process for each frequency band in the baselinehearing profile.

In one implementation, upon the user opening the user portal within thesystem (or within a web browser) at her computing device and initiatinga hearing assessment, the system can: prompt the user to connect herheadphones to the computing device; output a sound (e.g., a music track,tone, or phrase) through the connected headphones; and prompt the userto select a default output volume for the headphones at which the usercan generally hear or comprehend this sound. The system can then executethe hearing assessment at this default output volume.

6.1 Soundbites

When executing the hearing assessment process, in Block S120, the systemcan select and/or access a soundbite including a spoken phrase (e.g., asentence or sequence of sounded words) characterized by a frequencyspectrum predominantly within an assessed frequency band in the set offrequency bands. More specifically, the system can access a soundbite,which can include a synthesized or a recorded audio signal including aspoken phrase, that exhibits significant spectral density within aparticular frequency band being assessed in the hearing assessmentprocess. Alternatively, the soundbite can include music, noise, selecttones, or recognizable sounds (like a fire truck siren).

In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 3A, the system accesses asoundbite characterized by a spectral density within the assessedfrequency band exceeding a threshold spectral density. Thus, uponplaying the soundbite, the system transmits a greater than thresholdamount of the sound energy of the soundbite within the assessedfrequency band.

In another implementation, as shown in FIG. 3B, the system accesses asoundbite characterized by a spectrum containing a spectral peak withinthe assessed frequency band. Thus, although the majority of the soundenergy of the soundbite can be distributed outside of the assessedfrequency band, the soundbite, as transmitted by the system, includessignificant information content within the assessed frequency band.

In yet another implementation, as shown in FIG. 3C, the system accessesa soundbite including a spoken phrase and broadband noise approximatingtypical environmental noise conditions. Thus, the soundbite can containinformational content within the assessed frequency band, which may bediscerned from the broadband noise in order to comprehend the spokenphrase. In one variation, the system can record a noise sample of thetesting environment (e.g., via a microphone integrated with the localcomputing device) and generate noise within the soundbite that, whencombined with the recorded environmental noise, approximates an intendedbroadband noise profile.

In another variation, the system can playback soundbites during thehearing assessment process including specific types of background noise,such as background music, third party voices (e.g., as heard in a noisyrestaurant), machinery, and/or other environmental noise that may affectthe user's ability to hear voices. In this variation, the system canevaluate the user's hearing within different environmental conditionsand generate desired hearing profiles for each environmental conditionaccordingly.

In yet another variation, the system can play back soundbites during thehearing assessment process that include specific recognizable,disruptive, and/or painful sounds such as an emergency siren, motorcycleengine, or any other sound, which may be concentrated within aparticular frequency band. In this variation, the system can evaluatethe user's sensitivity to loud sounds in order to generate a hearingprofile that attenuates loud sounds within particular frequency bands.

For example, a user may express difficulty hearing or comprehendingspeech when occupying a crowded restaurant. As described above, thesystem can access a first soundbite including a spoken phrase and asound clip of noise within an example crowded restaurant.

When accessing soundbites for an assessed frequency band, the system canaccess soundbites including particular phonemes, words, and narratorsthat transmit information necessary for comprehension within theassessed frequency band. When the soundbite includes a spoken phrase,the system can access soundbites including spoken phrases with specificphonemes that are characterized by spectra within the assessed frequencyband. For example, the system can access a soundbite that includesseveral consonant phonemes spoken by a narrator that generates thosephonemes within the assessed frequency band. In another example, thesystem can access a soundbite that includes several vowel phonemescharacterized by formants within the assessed frequency band for theparticular narrator.

Thus, the system can: access a first soundbite including a first spokenphrase characterized by a first frequency spectrum predominantly withina first frequency band in the set of frequency bands and narrated by afirst narrator; and access a second soundbite including a second spokenphrase characterized by a second frequency spectrum predominantly withina second frequency band in the set of frequency bands different from thefirst frequency band and narrated by a second narrator.

Additionally, the system can: access a first soundbite including a firstspoken phrase further including a first word characterized by a firstfrequency spectrum predominantly within a first frequency band in theset of frequency bands; and access a second soundbite including a secondspoken phrase further including a second word characterized by a secondfrequency spectrum predominantly within a second frequency band in theset of frequency bands different from the first frequency band.

Alternatively, the system accesses soundbites includingphonemically-balanced phrases such as “the boy was there when the sunrose” in order to assess a broader assessed frequency band.

When accessing soundbites for different assessed frequency bands, thesystem can access soundbites with different narrators, differentphonemic content, different noise content depending on theimplementation. For example, the system can access a first soundbitevoiced by a male speaker when assessing a lower frequency band andaccess a second soundbite voiced by a female speaker for a higherfrequency band.

Alternatively, the system can access the same soundbite for multiplefrequency bands by applying a bandpass filter to attenuate frequencycontent of the soundbite outside of the assessed frequency band, therebyconcentrating the spectral density of the soundbite within the assessedfrequency band. In another alternative implementation, the system canmodulate the frequency of the soundbite to shift the spectral peak andor spectral density of the soundbite from one frequency band to another.Thus, the system can assess multiple frequency bands while utilizing thesame or a similar soundbite.

Therefore, the system can generate: the first soundbite by attenuating afirst subset of the set of frequency bands of an initial soundbite, thefirst subset not including the first frequency band; and a secondsoundbite by attenuating a second subset of the set of frequency bandsof the initial soundbite, the second subset not including a secondfrequency band different from the first frequency band.

In one implementation, the system can enable the user, via the userportal, to record a soundbite for incorporation in the hearingassessment process. For example, the user may decide to record the voiceof a loved one such that the system executing the hearing assessmentprocess adjusts the user's hearing profile to improve comprehension ofthe particular loved one.

In another implementation, the system can enable the user to initiate,via the user portal, a phone call while participating in the hearingassessment process such that the system executing the hearing assessmentprocess can adjust the user's hearing profile to improve comprehensionof the phone call. Therefore, instead of applying each test hearingprofile to a prerecorded or synthesized soundbite the system canamplify, in real time, a phone call of the user with each hearingprofile generated according to the hearing assessment process.

6.2 Hearing Profile Amplification

In Blocks S130 and S140, the system plays a soundbite amplified by afirst gain in an assessed frequency band; and plays the soundbiteamplified by a second gain in the assessed frequency band different fromthe first gain. More specifically, the system can apply a first testhearing profile and a second test hearing profile to a soundbiteselected for evaluation of a user's preferred gain value in the assessedfrequency band, wherein the difference between the first test hearingprofile and the second test hearing profile is between the respectivegain values of each profile within the assessed frequency band. Thus,the system is able to play, for the user, the same soundbite withdifferent amplification within the same frequency band such that theuser can form a preference between the two levels of amplification.

In Blocks S130 and S140, the system generates a first test hearingprofile and a second test hearing profile based on the most recenthearing profile that the system has generated for the user beingassessed. Initially, the system generates the first test hearing profileand the second test hearing profile based on the baseline hearingprofile for the user. However, as the system received the user'spreference regarding prior hearing profiles, the system can dynamicallyadjust the baseline hearing profile prior to initiating subsequenttests. Therefore, for each iteration of the hearing assessment processexecuted by the system, the system can generate and update the versionof the hearing profile of the user. Thus, over multiple iterations ofthe hearing assessment process (i.e. Blocks S120, S130, S140, and S150)the system can transform the baseline hearing profile of the user byconverging upon the refined (and more preferred) hearing profile for theuser.

In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 4A, the system generates thefirst test hearing profile and the second test hearing profile accordingto a binary search algorithm, wherein an order relation (e.g., theordering function) of the binary search algorithm is evaluated accordingto the user's preference between the two node profiles. Thus, the systemcan construct a preformed binary tree of gain levels for an assessedfrequency band (with a predetermined leaf node resolution). The systemcan then locate the gain level in the binary tree equal to the currentgain level in the assessed frequency band of the most recent hearingprofile generated for the user. Alternatively, the system can generate abinary search tree that includes the baseline gain level in the assessedfrequency band within the baseline hearing profile as the root node inthe binary tree.

Once the system locates the current gain level for the user's hearingprofile within the binary tree, the system can generate the first testhearing profile and the second test hearing profile by accessing thegain levels of the leaf nodes of the current gain level in the binarytree. Thus, the system sets the first gain level in the assessedfrequency band of the first test hearing profile by referencing thefirst leaf node of the node representing the current gain level in thebinary tree, while the system sets the second gain level in the assessedfrequency band of the second test hearing profile by referencing thesecond leaf node of the node representing the current gain level in thebinary tree. As a result, the system generates one test hearing profilewith a gain level greater than the current gain level in the assessedfrequency band while the system generates a second test hearing profilewith a gain level less than the current gain level. However, whengenerating the test hearing profiles, the system keeps gain levels ofthe current hearing profile outside of the assessed frequency bandconsistent in order to provide a clear contrast to the user within theassessed frequency band. Thus, in one implementation, each hearingprofile is identical except within the assessed frequency band.

In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 4B, the system performs an A/Btest procedure, wherein the system generates a single test hearingprofile for comparison against the current hearing profile for the user.In this implementation, the system can alternate between generating testhearing profiles with a lower gain than the current hearing profilewithin the assessed frequency band and generating test hearing profileswith a higher gain than the current hearing profile with the assessedfrequency band. Upon receiving a preference input from a user indicatinga preference for the test hearing profile, the system can set the testhearing profile as the new current hearing profile. Upon receiving apreference input from a user indicating a preference for the currenthearing profile, the system can reduce the difference in gain level inthe assessed frequency band between the gain level of the currenthearing profile and the gain level of each test hearing profile and playthe soundbite amplified by two more test hearing profiles (one with ahigher gain and one with a lower gain) for the user to evaluate againstthe current hearing profile. In this manner, the system can continuallynarrow the range of acceptable gain levels for the user until the useris satisfied with the current gain level of the current hearing profilein the assessed frequency band.

Upon receiving a repeated preference input (e.g., greater than athreshold number of preference inputs) for a current hearing profile,the system can cease the hearing assessment process for the assessedfrequency band and select the current gain level as the gain level ofthe refined hearing profile for the assessed frequency band.

Once the system has generated each of the test hearing profiles forcomparison by the user, the system can apply the hearing profiles to thesoundbite selected for the assessed frequency band, thereby selectivelyamplifying frequency bands of the soundbite according to the gain valuesincluded in each hearing profile. The system can then play an outputaudio signal via speakers integrated with the local computing device orthrough electronically or wirelessly coupled speakers (e.g., headphones,earphones, or auxiliary speakers) such that both the first testsoundbite and the second test soundbite (respectively amplified by thefirst and second test hearing profiles) are audible to the user.

6.3 User Feedback

In Block S150, the system can then prompt the user to input a preferencefor one of the test soundbites (e.g., from a set including a soundbiteamplified according to the first test hearing profile and a soundbiteamplified according to the second test hearing profile). The system canprompt the user to indicate which of the test soundbites is more audibleto the user, and/or which enables the user to comprehend spoken wordsmore clearly. For example, the system can: render—on a display of thecomputing device—the first test hearing profile applied to the firsttest soundbite and a second test hearing profile applied to the secondtest soundbite; prompt the user to select one of the two hearingprofiles to indicate her preference for the first test soundbite or thesecond test soundbite; and then log the user's selection in a localand/or remote database.

In implementations wherein the system executes the hearing assessmentprocess according to the above-described binary search algorithm, thesystem can update the current hearing profile of the user to match thetest hearing profile corresponding to the test soundbite for which theuser expressed a preference, thereby descending the binary search treewith each iteration of the hearing assessment process. In a subsequentiteration of the hearing assessment process, the system can thengenerate two additional test hearing profiles based on the leaf nodes ofthe new current node in the binary search tree.

In one variation, the system continues executing iterations of thehearing assessment process (i.e. Blocks S130, S140, and S150), accordingto the binary search algorithm until the system receives a preference ofthe user for a node with no leaf nodes, thereby ending the hearingassessment process for the assessed frequency band. However, the systemcan execute the hearing assessment process for other frequency bands inthe set of frequency bands spanning the human-audible frequency range.

In implementations wherein the system executes the hearing assessmentprocess according to the above-described A/B testing procedure, thesystem can update the current hearing profile of the user to match thetest hearing profile upon receiving a user preference for the soundbiteamplified according to the test hearing profile (as opposed to a userpreference for the current hearing profile). If the system receivesrepeated preferences from the user for the current hearing profile, thenthe system can cease executing the hearing assessment test for theassessed frequency.

Thus, the system can: based on a first preference input representing auser's preference for a soundbite amplified by a second gain in thefrequency band, as opposed to the soundbite amplified by a first gain inthe frequency band: play the first soundbite amplified by a third gainin the first frequency band different from the first gain and the secondgain, wherein the third gain is based on the second gain; play the firstsoundbite amplified by a fourth gain in the first frequency banddifferent from the first gain, the second gain, and the third gain,wherein the fourth gain is based on the second gain; and receive asecond preference input representing the user's preference from amongstthe first soundbite amplified by the third gain in the first frequencyband and the first soundbite amplified by the fourth gain in the firstfrequency band; and modify the first gain value corresponding to thefirst frequency band of the baseline hearing profile for the user basedon the second preference input to generate the first refined hearingprofile.

6.4 Frequency Band Selection

In order to execute multiple iterations of the hearing assessmentprocess to identify the user's preferred gain level in each frequencyband, the system selects an order of frequency bands with which toassess the preferred gain level of the user.

In one implementation, the system executes the hearing assessmentprocess on each frequency band in the set of frequency bands inascending order (with respect to the center frequency of each frequencyband). Alternatively, the system executes the hearing assessment processon each frequency band in the set of frequency bands in descendingorder).

In another implementation, the system identifies a first frequency bandfor assessment based on the demographic data provided by the user inorder to estimate the baseline hearing profile for the user.Alternatively, the system can estimate the type of hearing deficiencyexhibited by the user (e.g., according to the hearing test model) andselect, as the first frequency bands for assessment, the specificfrequency bands in which the user is likely to exhibit greater hearingdeficiency. Additionally, the system can define an order of assessmentfor the frequency bands in the set of frequency bands based on thedemographic data provided by the user. For example, the system canprioritize the frequency bands in which hearing deficiency is frequentlyobserved in users characterized by similar demographic data.Furthermore, the system can select an order of assessment for thefrequency bands based on the baseline hearing profile of the user suchthat the frequency bands that correspond to the highest gain levels areassessed first, while frequency bands with lower gain levels areassessed later.

In yet another implementation, the system can prompt the user to selecta frequency band for which the user desires further refinement in theamplification provided by the current hearing profile of the user. Thus,the system provides a means for the user to continue the hearingassessment process until the user is satisfied with her current hearingprofile.

In one variation, the system can also selectively define frequency bandswith a smaller bandwidth (frequency sub-bands) upon detecting adifference in the gain values of adjacent frequency bands. For example,upon detecting a difference above a threshold difference (e.g., 20 dB)between adjacent frequency bands, the system can define an additionalfrequency band in the hearing profile that has a center frequencybetween the center frequencies of the adjacent frequency bands.Furthermore, the system can modify the bandwidths of the adjacentfrequency bands such that they do not overlap with the additionalfrequency band. The system can then estimate a baseline gain value forthe additional frequency band such as by interpolating the gain valuesof the adjacent frequency bands.

6.5 Individual Ear Assessment

Furthermore, the system can implement each of the foregoing Blocks ofthe method S100 to individually assess hearing deficiency in each of theuser's ears. For example, the system can output the first test soundbiteand the second test soundbite through a left headphone and prompt theuser to select which of the first test soundbite and the second testsoundbite the user prefers in her left ear. The system can then outputthe first soundbite and the second soundbite through a right headphoneand prompt the user to select which of the first test soundbite and thesecond test soundbite the user prefers in her right ear. As anotherexample, the system can independently upload a left hearing profile to aleft hearing device (or a right hearing profile to a right hearingdevice) such that the output of the left hearing device corresponds tothe hearing profile being assessed and the output of the right hearingdevice is not augmented by a hearing profile (or vice versa). The systemcan also play a soundbite with one hearing profile on the left hearingdevice and the same soundbite with a second hearing profile on the lefthearing device and prompt the user to select which of the hearingprofiles the user prefers in her left ear. Additionally, the system canalso assess both ears of the user together according to the method S100if the system determines that the user's hearing deficiency in both earsis similar.

6.6 Volume Dependent Assessment

In one implementation, the system can generate separate refined hearingprofiles each corresponding to different ranges of input volumes (e.g.,overall input volume or within each individual frequency band) in orderto provide volume-specific frequency response capabilities to thehearing assistance device. For example, a user (e.g., a constructionworker or other user exposed to loud noises in the workplace) may wishto decrease volume of loud noises of specific frequencies (that arecommon on a construction site or that of a fire truck siren) andincrease the relative volume of speech in order to hear speech throughloud environmental background noise.

In particular, the system can generate a curve representing preferredgain levels for each assessed frequency band across the set of frequencybands and for each discrete range of input volumes, such as: input atnormal speech volume; input at uncomfortably-loud volumes; and input atother volumes (e.g., whispers, etc.). The system can, therefore, executethe above-described Blocks of the method S100 at each input volume inorder to determine the preferred gain values for each frequency band inthe set of frequency bands and for each range of input volumes.

The system can also enable the user to manually adjust discrete pointsof the curve—such as corresponding to whispers (20-30 dB), normalspeaking voice (60-70 dB) loud noises such as construction drills orjackhammers (greater than 90 dB)—to adjust the volume of singularfrequencies or sub-ranges of frequencies within the audible range.

6.7 Refined Hearing Profile

As the system executes multiple iterations of the hearing assessmentover a set of frequency bands, the system refines the baseline hearingprofile of the user until the process is complete (as described above)and/or the user indicates that she is satisfied with the current hearingprofile. The system can then record the current hearing profile of theuser as the refined hearing profile of the user or generate the refinedhearing profile for the user in Block S160.

However, the system can aggregate the user's feedback into a hearingprofile in any other way such that, when applied to an input audiosignal, a signal processor implementing the hearing profile increasesamplitudes of select frequencies (or frequency bands) which the userindicated—during the hearing assessment—improved the user'scomprehension of human speech. The system can therefore generate acustom hearing profile for the user (or for each of her ears) thatrepresents the user's preferred amplification of particular frequenciesacross the audible spectrum.

The system can then store this custom hearing profile in the user'sprofile, such as in a remote database.

7. HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE NEED ASSESSMENT

The system can then determine whether the user may benefit from hearingaids. In particular, the system can determine whether: the user'shearing deficiency justifies the use of hearing aids by the user; theuser's hearing abilities indicate no need for hearing augmentation; orwhether the user's hearing deficiency may require more in-depthassessment by a doctor or audiologist.

In one implementation, if the refined hearing profile generated for theuser deviates from a nominal hearing profile—associated with “normal” orfully-able hearing—by a first threshold difference (e.g., more than tendecibels at any frequency), the system can: determine that the user maybenefit from hearing augmentation; present a visual representation ofthe refined hearing profile, such as in comparison to the nominalhearing profile, in order to visually communicate the user's hearingdeficiency to the user; and prompt the user to order a hearingassistance device that best compensates for the user's hearingdeficiencies and use cases. The system can then submit an order for ahearing assistance device to be delivered directly to the user inresponse to confirmation from the user.

However, in the foregoing example, if the refined hearing profilegenerated for the user deviates from the nominal hearing profile by morethan a second threshold difference (e.g., more than 50 decibels at anyfrequency), the system can: flag the user as possibly exhibitingmore-severe hearing deficiency; and prompt the user to visit a doctor,audiologist, or other professional for an in-person hearing assessment.

However, in response to the refined hearing profile aligning with thehearing profile of a user with normal hearing and/or deviating from thehearing profile of the user with normal hearing by less than a thresholddeviation (e.g., five decibels), the system can notify the user that sheexhibits little or no hearing deficiency and, therefore, may not requiresound amplification.

Additionally, the system can compare the user's refined hearing profileto template hearing profiles indicating specific types of hearingdeficiency (e.g., low-frequency hearing deficiency, cookie bite hearingdeficiency, and/or noise-induced hearing deficiency) and, based on thecomparison (e.g., if the refined hearing profile is within a thresholddeviation of the template hearing profile), the system can prompt theuser to order a specific hearing assistance device optimized for a typeof hearing deficiency corresponding to the template hearing profile.

Additionally, the system can screen for contraindications that suggestthat even if the user has a hearing deficiency and is in-range, shemight still not benefit from hearing aids. For example, if the systemdetermines that the left ear has a specific type of hearing deficiencyand the right ear does not have significant hearing deficiency, thesystem can indicate that the user may have earwax blockage or aninfection in the left ear that does not affect the right ear. As anotherexample, the system can prompt the user to provide answers to a seriesof questions that screen for particular contraindications (e.g., anearwax blockage or ear infection).

Furthermore, the system can aid the user in determining whether she isin need of a hearing assistance device by playing a soundbite amplifiedaccording to the user's refined hearing profile and subsequently playingthe soundbite without amplification (or vice versa). The system can thenprompt the user to order a hearing assistance device if she perceives animprovement in the amplified soundbite when compared to the soundbitewithout amplification.

8. CONFIGURATION OF THE HEARING-ASSISTANCE DEVICE

Upon receipt of a hearing assistance device (e.g., delivered hours,days, or weeks later), the user may pair the hearing assistance deviceto her computing device, such as over a local ad hoc wireless network.The system—executing on the user's computing device—can then: link thehearing assistance device (e.g., a unique identifier of the hearingassistance device) to the user's profile; retrieve the refined hearingprofile generated during the initial assessment described above; andupload the refined hearing profile to the hearing assistance device.

The hearing assistance device can then immediately begin: detectingaudio signals in; processing these audio signals according to therefined hearing profile; and outputting these processed audiosignals—now with select frequency bands amplified according to therefined hearing profile—via a speaker integrated into the hearingassistance device. The hearing assistance device can therefore implementthe refined hearing profile generated during the hearing assessment,which was performed on the user's computing device with another audiooutput device (e.g., a separate set of headphones).

However, because the hearing assistance device may (or is likely) toexhibit an frequency response that differs from the frequency responseof the user's computing device and headphones, the refined hearingprofile generated during the hearing assessment may fully compensate forthe user's hearing loss when implemented by the hearing assistancedevice. Nonetheless, the refined hearing profile generated during thehearing assessment may better represent the user's hearing augmentationneeds than a nominal hearing profile when implemented by the hearingassistance device. Therefore, the hearing assistance device caninitially implement the refined hearing profile; and the system cancooperate with the hearing assistance device to execute an on-devicehearing assessment and to modify the refined hearing profileaccordingly.

In one implementation, the system can also configure the hearing devicewith automatic feedback cancellation to prevent the hearing assistancedevice from entering a feedback amplification loop. In thisimplementation, the system can play load noise and subsequently promptthe user to indicate whether she perceived any feedback from the hearingassistance device. In response to a positive response, the system canthen modify feedback cancellation settings of the hearing assistancedevice.

8.1 On-Device Hearing Assessment

Generally, as shown in FIG. 2 , the hearing assistance device and thesystem can cooperate: to test effectiveness of the refined hearingprofile in improving the user's comprehension of human speech whenimplemented by the hearing assistance device (rather than the user'scomputing device and headphones); and to adjust the refined hearingprofile for implementation by the hearing assistance device given theuser's feedback of A/B audio tests performed with the hearing assistancedevice. The system can continue to asses, via the A/B assessment processor binary tree assessment, the user's preferences for the gain levels ofthe refined hearing profile when replayed through the hearing assistancedevice and to converge on a revised hearing profile for implementationby the hearing assistance device accordingly.

More specifically, the system can: access a refined hearing profile of auser in Block S170; upload the revised hearing profile to the hearingassistance device in Block S180; at a first time, in response toreceiving a confirmation of activation of the refined hearing profilefrom the hearing assistance device, play a soundbite corresponding to aassessed frequency band in Block S190; access a revised hearing profileof the user in Block S172; upload the revised hearing profile to thehearing assistance device in Block S182; at a second time succeeding thefirst time and in response to receiving a confirmation of activation ofthe revised hearing profile from the hearing assistance device,replaying the first soundbite in Block S192; in response to receiving afirst preference input representing a preference of the user for therevised hearing profile, select the revised hearing profile in BlockS194; and prompt the hearing assistance device to set the revisedhearing profile as an active hearing profile for the hearing assistancedevice in Block S196.

In one variation, after uploading the refined hearing profile—generatedduring the initial assessment as described above—to the hearingassistance device and once the user initiates an on-device hearingassessment, the system can execute a process for revising the refinedhearing profile similar to the hearing assessment process describedabove. However, instead of selectively amplifying each soundbite basedon test hearing profiles, the system can: upload the test hearingprofiles to the hearing assistance device; confirm that the hearingassistance device has activated the hearing profile (e.g., the digitalsignal processor of the hearing device is executing a set of digitalfilter in order to amplify input sound according to the uploaded hearingprofile); and play the raw soundbite (e.g., without amplification) suchthat the only amplification applied to the soundbite is performed at thehearing assistance device. Thus, the system can assess user preferencesfor the refined hearing profile given the particular frequency responsecharacteristics of the hearing assistance device.

The system can generate test hearing profiles in the same manner asdescribed above with respect to the hearing assessment process; andreceive feedback from the user in the same manner (e.g., via the userportal). Thus, when executing the on-device hearing assessment thesystem executes Blocks S170, S172, S180, S182, S190, S192, S194, andS196 to converge from the refined hearing profile to a revised hearingprofile better optimized for the particular hearing assistance device.

Furthermore, the system can execute on-device testing for any othersound generating device, such as a telephone, speaker system, orcomputational device with integrated speakers. Because each hearingprofile indicates a frequency response profile over a set of frequencybands, the system can transfer hearing profiles to any device with adigital signal processor capable of applying the hearing profile to aninput audio signals to generate amplified output audio signals.

8.2 Telephone Hearing Assessment

In one implementation, the system can: initiate a phone call for theuser, the phone call amplified according to the user's refined hearingprofile; receive feedback from the user describing the clarity of thephone call; amplify the phone call according to a revised hearingprofile characterized by a second gain value corresponding to the firstfrequency band; receive a second preference input representing apreference of the user for the revised hearing profile; and upload therevised hearing profile to a hearing assistance device. Thus, the systemcan perform the on-device hearing assessment described above utilizingthe user's telephone instead of a hearing assistance device.

8.3 Revised Hearing Profile

In Block S196, the system can, in response to selection of the secondsoundbite, generate a revised hearing profile for the user representingamplification of the subset of frequencies to the second gain level.Generally, in Block S196, the system can modify the refined hearingprofile (or generate a revised hearing profile) that represents a user'spreference for sound augmentation by the hearing assistance device(s)across the audible spectrum or, more specifically, across the vocalspectrum.

In one implementation, the system records gain level differences indiscrete frequencies or frequency bands of hearing profiles for whichthe user indicated a preference over other soundbites not exhibitinggain level changes over such discrete frequencies or frequency ranges.The system can then interpolate between the gain levels changes acrossthe audible or vocal spectrum to generate the revised refined hearingprofile for the user.

9. EXAMPLES

In one example, the user enters—during the on-device hearingassessment—a preference for amplification of sounds at 500 Hz by tendecibels, sounds at 1 k Hz by five decibels, sounds at 2 k Hz by threedecibels, sounds at 4 k Hz by two decibels, and sounds at 6 k Hz by fivedecibels. (The system can also interpolate preferences for gain levelchanges at frequencies between each of the frequencies tested during theon-device hearing assessment (e.g., 750 Hz, 1.5 k Hz, 3 k Hz, and 5 kHz). Upon conclusion of the on-device hearing assessment (or throughoutthe on-device hearing assessment), the system can then: calculate acurve using audio filters (peaking equalizer filters and compressionfilters)—across the audible or vocal spectrum—that best fits these gainlevel change preferences indicated by the user at the discretefrequencies and store this equalizer curve as a new refined hearingprofile for the user; and upload the new refined hearing profile to theuser's hearing aid(s).

In the foregoing example, the system can increase volume of theamplitude of a narrow frequency range containing the “eff” phoneme bythree decibels in the second soundbite compared to the first soundbite.The hearing assistance device can then: process and output the firstsoundbite according to the refined hearing profile; and process andoutput the second soundbite according to the refined hearing profileafter completion of playback of the first soundbite. The computingdevice can then prompt the user to select which of the first soundbiteand the second soundbite the user prefers or can hear more clearly. Inthe foregoing example, if the “ess” phoneme in “The boy was there whenthe sun rose” is clear in the first soundbite but too loud in the secondsoundbite, the user can indicate a preference for the first soundbite inthe user portal; the system can thus determine that the custom originalhearing profile is better tuned to the user's hearing ability in thenarrow frequency range containing the “ess” phoneme than the modifiedrefined hearing profile and confirm no change in this narrow frequencyrange in the refined hearing profile. However, if the “ess” phoneme in“The boy was there when the sun rose” is too quiet in the firstsoundbite and at a more comfortable volume for the user in the secondsoundbite, the user can indicate a preference for the second soundbitein the user portal; the system can thus determine that the modifiedrefined hearing profile is better tuned to the user's hearing ability inthe narrow frequency range containing the “ess” phoneme than theoriginal refined hearing profile and then update the refined hearingprofile for the user to reflect this preference for increased amplitudewithin the narrow frequency range containing the “ess” phonemeaccordingly.

In the foregoing example, if the user indicates a preference for thefirst soundbite, the system can also: generate a third soundbiteincluding the soundbite with the volume in the narrow frequency rangecontaining the “ess” phoneme decreased by three decibels; upload thethird sound amplification profile to the hearing assistance device; andpresent the third soundbite to the user. The hearing assistance devicecan then replay the first and third soundbites in quick succession, andthe system can prompt the user to select which of the first and thirdsoundbites she prefers or can comprehend more clearly. The system canthen update the refined hearing profile accordingly.

In another example, a computing device, such as a smartphone, canpresent or play the first soundbite and the second soundbite at adefault volume (e.g., a volume corresponding to a volume of normal humanspeech). In this example, the hearing assistance device's microphone canrecord or process the soundbites according to the sound amplificationprofile and output the soundbite into the user's ear according to thecustom sound amplification profile for the user. Therefore, the hearingassistance device can locally modify sound presented to the user whilethe computing device plays a standard, unmodified soundbite.

In another example, the system can increase volumes of discretefrequency ranges (e.g., by 10 decibels) in discrete intervals (e.g.,every 50 Hz) across the audible spectrum or across the vocal spectrum ina series of soundbites and upload original and modified versions ofthese soundbites to the hearing assistance device. The hearingassistance device can then process original and modified versions ofthese soundbites according to the refined hearing profile currentlystored on the hearing assistance device when replaying these soundbitesfor the user. In a similar example, the system and the hearingassistance device can cooperate: to playback a first soundbitecontaining an soundbite in which a volume of a first frequency (e.g., 20Hz) is played back at a default volume; to playback a second soundbitecontaining the soundbite with the first frequency amplified by fivedecibels; and to prompt the user to indicate which of the first and thesecond soundbites she prefers (or which is more comprehensive or “soundsbetter”). The system and the hearing assistance device can thencooperate: to playback a third soundbite containing a second soundbitein which a second frequency (e.g., 70 Hz) is played back at a defaultvolume; to playback a fourth soundbite containing the second soundbitewith the second frequency amplified by five decibels; and to prompt theuser to indicate which of the third and the fourth soundbites sheprefers. The system can then update the refined hearing profile for theuser accordingly.

However, the system can cooperate with the hearing assistance device inany other way: to test changes in single frequencies, discrete ranges offrequencies, groups of discrete frequencies, etc. in the audiblespectrum (e.g., 20-20,000 Hz) and/or in the vocal spectrum (e.g.,125-8,000 Hz) during this on-device hearing assessment; and to modifythe refined hearing profile based on the user's feedback during theon-device hearing assessment.

10. CUSTOMIZATION

In one variation, the system can prompt the user to manually adjust gainlevel settings of select frequencies, such as through an interfacerendered within the system. In this variation, the system can render aninterface including slider icons that the user may toggle to manuallyincrease and/or decrease the gain level of a particular frequency. Thesystem can render a set of sliders configured to increase and/ordecrease the gain level of a subset of frequencies—distributed atintervals across a spectrum of frequencies (e.g., between 125 Hz and8,000 Hz)—in response to input by the user.

Additionally or alternatively, the system can render a representation ofthe refined hearing profile (e.g., a graph with a first axisrepresenting a range of frequencies and a second axis representing again level or amplitude) currently loaded onto the user's hearingaid(s).

For example, the system can render a curve representing preferred gainlevel settings for each tested frequency across the range of frequenciesand can enable the user to manually adjust discrete points of the curveto adjust the gain level of frequencies within the range of frequencies.Upon completion of each manual adjustment of the refined hearing profilethrough the system by a user, the system can upload this revised refinedhearing profile to the hearing aid, and the hearing aid can implementthis revised refined hearing profile until a new hearing profile isloaded onto the hearing aid.

Furthermore, the system can render a selection of commonly voicedsounds, such as consonant sounds (e.g., “F”, or “S”), vowels (e.g.,“ah,” or “ee”), words (e.g., “the,” “with,”), etc. The system can thenprompt the user to toggle a gain level amplification slider (or switch)to increase and/or decrease the gain level at which these (or a subsetof these) commonly voiced sounds are played back by the hearing aid.Additionally or alternatively, the system can query the user to enterwhether she experiences difficulty hearing these (or a subset of these)commonly voiced sounds, whether she prefers amplification of these (or asubset of these) commonly voiced sounds, etc. The system can then updatethe sound amplification assigned to the user profile accordingly.

11. HEARING PROFILE REASSESSMENT

The system can prompt the user to reassess her hearing periodically(e.g., every week, every month, every six months, etc.) to confirm thatthe refined hearing profile currently implemented by the hearing aidreflects the user's current sound preferences or hearing augmentationneeds. During these additional hearing assessments the system cancooperate with the hearing aid to collect sound augmentation preferencesfrom the user and to modify the refined hearing profile for the useraccordingly. The system can then upload the new refined hearing profileto the hearing aid for immediate implementation or the shift hearing aidfrom its current refined hearing profile to the new refined hearingprofile over a period of time (e.g., over a period of two weeks) toenable the user to gradually grow accustomed to the new customer hearingprofile.

The system and methods described herein can be embodied and/orimplemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive acomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. Theinstructions can be executed by computer-executable componentsintegrated with the application, applet, host, server, network, website,communication service, communication interface,hardware/firmware/software elements of a user computer or mobile device,wristband, smartphone, or any suitable combination thereof. Othersystems and methods of the embodiment can be embodied and/or implementedat least in part as a machine configured to receive a computer-readablemedium storing computer-readable instructions. The instructions can beexecuted by computer-executable components integrated bycomputer-executable components integrated with apparatuses and networksof the type described above. The computer-readable medium can be storedon any suitable computer readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flashmemory, EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppydrives, or any suitable device. The computer-executable component can bea processor but any suitable dedicated hardware device can(alternatively or additionally) execute the instructions.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the embodiments of the invention without departing fromthe scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for adjusting a sound-generating device of a usercomprising: at the sound-generating device, accessing a first hearingprofile for the user comprising a first set of gain values correspondingto a first set of frequency bands; at a first time; activating the firsthearing profile from at the sound-generating device; and playing back afirst audible media for the user modulated according to the firsthearing profile; at the sound-generating device, accessing a secondhearing profile for the user comprising a second set of gain values:different from the first set of gain values; and corresponding to thefirst set of frequency bands; at a second time: activating the secondhearing profile from at the sound-generating device, and playing backthe first audible media for the user modulated according to the secondhearing profile; and in response to receiving a first preference inputrepresenting a preference of the user for the first hearing profile,setting the first hearing profile as an active hearing profile at thesound-generating device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein playing backthe first audible media for the user comprises playing back the firstaudible media comprising a recognizable sound.
 3. The method of claim 1:wherein accessing the first hearing profile for the user at thesound-generating device comprises: retrieving the first hearing profilefrom a remote database via a local computing device; and storing thefirst hearing profile locally on the local computing device; whereinplaying back the first audible media comprises: accessing the firstaudible media from a remote database via the local computing device;streaming the first audible media from the remote database to the localcomputing device; and playing back the first audible media via anearphone wirelessly coupled to the local computing device.
 4. The methodof claim 1: further comprising recording a first noise samplecharacterized by a first noise spectrum and corresponding to a firstenvironmental condition; wherein playing back the first audible mediafor the user, modulated according to the first hearing profile at thefirst time comprises playing back the audible media comprising: a firstsoundbite; the first noise sample; and a first noise cancellationsetting applied to the sound generation device; wherein playing back thefirst audible media for the user, modulated according to the firsthearing profile at the second time comprises playing back the audiblemedia comprising: the first soundbite; the first noise sample; and asecond noise cancellation setting applied to the sound generationdevice; and further comprising, in response to receiving the firstpreference input of the user for the first hearing profile, associatingthe first hearing profile with the first environmental condition.
 5. Themethod of claim 1: further comprising, recording a first noise samplecharacterized by a first noise signal and corresponding to a firstenvironmental condition; wherein playing back the first audible mediafor the user, according to the first hearing profile, at the first time,comprises playing back the first audible media comprising a firstsoundbite and the first noise sample; wherein playing back the firstaudible media for the user, according to the first hearing profile, atthe second time, comprises playing back the first audible mediacomprising the first soundbite and the first noise sample; whereinreceiving the first preference input comprises receiving the firstpreference input representing a preference of the user for the secondhearing profile; and further comprising: in response to receiving thefirst preference input representing a preference of the user for thesecond hearing profile, setting the second hearing profile as the activehearing profile at the sound-generating device; and associating thesecond hearing profile with the second environmental condition.
 6. Themethod of claim 5: wherein playing back the audible media for the user,according to the first hearing profile, at the first time, comprisesplaying back the first audible media comprising the first soundbite andthe first noise sample, modulated according to the first hearingprofile; and wherein playing back the audible media for the user,according to the first hearing profile, at the second time, comprisesplaying back the audible media comprising a second soundbite and thefirst noise sample, modulated according to the second hearing profile.7. The method of claim 5: further comprising, recording a second noisesample characterized by a second noise signal and corresponding to asecond environmental condition; wherein playing back the first audiblemedia for the user, according to the first hearing profile, at the firsttime, comprises playing back the first audible media comprising thefirst soundbite and the first noise sample, modulated according to thefirst hearing profile; and wherein playing back the first audible mediafor the user, according to the first hearing profile, at the secondtime, comprises playing back the first audible media comprising thefirst soundbite and the second noise sample, modulated according to thesecond hearing profile.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:following the first time and the second time, at the sound-generatingdevice, playing back the audible media according to a third hearingprofile for the user comprising a third set of gain values: differentfrom the first set of gain values and the second set of gain values; andcorresponding to a second set of frequency bands; and in response toreceiving a second confirmation of a second user preference for thethird hearing profile, redefining the active hearing profile for thesound-generating device based on the third hearing profile.
 9. Themethod of claim 1: wherein accessing the first hearing profile for theuser comprises accessing the first hearing profile for the usercomprising: the first set of gain values corresponding to the first setof frequency bands; and a first feedback cancellation setting for thesound-generating device; wherein playing back the first audible mediafor the user at the first time comprises playing back the first audiblemedia comprising a first load noise sample; wherein accessing the secondhearing profile for the user comprises accessing the second hearingprofile for the user comprising: the second set of gain values differentfrom the first set of gain values and corresponding to the first set offrequency bands; and a second feedback cancellation setting for thesound-generating device; and wherein playing back the first audiblemedia for the user at the first time comprises playing back the firstaudible media comprising a second load noise sample.
 10. The method ofclaim 1: wherein accessing the first hearing profile for the usercomprising the first set of gain values corresponding to the first setof frequency bands comprises accessing the first hearing profilecomprising a first gain value corresponding to a first frequency band inthe first set of frequency bands; wherein accessing the second hearingprofile for the user comprises accessing the second hearing profile forthe user comprising the second set of gain values: corresponding to thefirst set of frequency bands; and comprising a second gain value,different from the first gain value corresponding to the first frequencyband in the first set of frequency bands; and wherein playing back thefirst audible media for the user comprises playing back audible mediacomprising a spectral peak within the first frequency band.
 11. A methodfor adjusting a hearing assistance device of a user comprising:uploading, to the hearing assistance device of the user, a first hearingprofile defining a first set of hearing preferences for the user;uploading, to the hearing assistance device of the user, a secondhearing profile defining a second set of hearing preferences for theuser different from the first set of hearing preferences; playing backaudible media for the user; while playing back audible media: at a firsttime, activating the first hearing profile; and at a second time,activating the second hearing profile; and receiving a user preferencefor the second hearing profile; and assigning the second hearing profileas an active hearing profile for the hearing assistance device based onthe user preference.
 12. The method of claim 11: further comprising,recording a first noise sample characterized by a first noise signal andcorresponding to a first environmental condition; wherein playing backaudible media comprises: playing back audible media comprising a soundsample and the first noise signal; at a first time, activating the firsthearing profile; and at a second time, activating the second hearingprofile; and further comprising, associating the second hearing profilewith the first environmental condition in response to receiving thepreference for the second hearing profile.
 13. A method for adjusting ahearing assistance device of a user comprising: uploading, to thehearing assistance device of the user, a first hearing profile for theuser comprising a first set of gain values corresponding to a first setof frequency bands; uploading, to the hearing assistance device of theuser, a second hearing profile for the user comprising a second set ofgain values: different from the first set of gain values; andcorresponding to a second set of frequency bands; at a first time,activating the first hearing profile; at a second time, activating thesecond hearing profile; and in response to receiving confirmation of afirst user preference for the second hearing profile, at the hearingassistance device, defining an active hearing profile for the hearingassistance device based on the second hearing profile.
 14. The method ofclaim 13: further comprising playing back audible media for the user;wherein activating the first hearing profile comprises, at the firsttime, while playing back the audible media, activating the first hearingprofile; and wherein activating the second hearing profile comprises, atthe second time, while playing back the audible media, activating thesecond hearing profile.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:at the second time, recording a second noise sample characterized by asecond noise signal and corresponding to a second environmentalcondition; and in response to receiving confirmation of the first userpreference for the second hearing profile, associating the secondhearing profile with the first second environmental condition.
 16. Themethod of claim 13: wherein accessing the first hearing profile for theuser comprises accessing the first hearing profile for the user:comprising the first set of gain values corresponding to the first setof frequency bands; and associated with a first environmental condition;and wherein accessing the second hearing profile for the user comprisesaccessing the second hearing profile for the user: comprising the secondset of gain values: different from the first set of gain values; andcorresponding to the second set of frequency bands; and associated witha second environmental condition.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: receiving a current environmental condition input; accessingthe first environmental condition; calculating a first differencebetween the current environmental condition and the first environmentalcondition; accessing the second environmental condition; calculating asecond difference between the current environmental condition and thesecond environmental condition; in response to the first differencegreater than the second difference, defining the active hearing profilefor the hearing assistance device based on the second hearing profile.18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first environmental condition isrepresented by a sound signal exhibiting a first spectral peak in afirst frequency band in the first set of frequency bands, and the secondenvironmental condition is represented by a sound signal exhibiting asecond spectral peak in a second frequency band in the first set offrequency bands.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the firstenvironmental condition is represented by a sound signal exhibiting afirst spectral peak in a first frequency band in the first set offrequency bands, and the second environmental condition is representedby a sound signal exhibiting a second spectral peak in a secondfrequency band in the second set of frequency bands.
 20. The method ofclaim 1: wherein accessing the first hearing profile for the user at thesound-generating device comprises accessing the first hearing profilelocally on a local computing device; and wherein playing back the firstaudible media comprises: accessing the first audible media locally onthe local computing device; and playing back the first audible media tothe user, from the local computing device, via an earphone electricallycoupled to the local computing device.